And the judge picked up the tab  with her husband, lawyer Stanley Chesley.

I didn't want them leaving the courthouse, she reasoned. If I provided the meals, they had no excuse for leaving.

Or not reaching an agreement.

What's next?

The collaborative agreement still must be ratified by all parties. That includes the Black United Front, the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Cincinnati.

After all sides sign off on the agreement, and barring a lapse of reason they should, what's next for Cincinnati?

We have to make some hard, hard decisions, says Mayor Charlie Luken. To pay for changes in police practices called for in the settlement, the city must narrow its focus and not take on projects it can't afford.

We are not good at that, the mayor says. We like to do everything a little bit. That's not going to work any more.

Vice Mayor Alicia Reece sees fostering small businesses as the first order of business.